Chinese Invent “Anti-Pervert” Hairy Stockings?

Shanghai—Here’s the latest in hosiery that seems better suited to “Ripley’s Believe It or Not” than most retail shelves.

According to a report Monday in ChinaSMACK, a Chinese trendwatcher, someone apparently came up with a way for attractive women to fend off unwanted advances during the summer months: by wearing stockings that give the illusion of very hairy (ape-like actually) legs.

Yes, as the viral photo from Sina Weibo, China’s version of Twitter, shows a pair of hairy legs (sex unknown) that purport to show “Super sexy, summertime anti-pervert full-leg-of-hair stockings, essential for young girls going out.”

No price or additional information is provided, but after the image went viral, plenty of women, and some men, piped in their opinions of the idea. Most summed it up by using the emoticon that appears to be vomiting.

“Essential for the subway?” asks one person.

“If it has come to this, why not just wear pants?” wrote another.

“This will not only prevent against perverts, it’ll definitely also result in preventing handsome guys from approaching you. When things go to the extreme, they can only go the opposite direction!!!” added yet another.

“Disgusting. Women should be able to wear what they want without fear from being sexually harassed or accosted.”

Given the dearth of information accompanying the stockings, the whole idea seems to be merely to pull one’s leg—hairy, smooth or otherwise.